Electrolytes

Fighting a nasty cold? An average of 2-3 times a year, most adults suffer through the effects of the common cold including sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headaches and body aches. There is no cure for the common cold. Over-the-counter medicines mask symptoms but often have side effects people would like to avoid. Here are some natural cold remedies to lessen the misery and support your recovery!

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

No surprise to hear us shouting this from the rooftops. In any recovery, staying hydrated is essential. When dealing with a cold, drinking plenty of water helps to prevent respiratory secretions from getting thick and making it difficult to expel. If plain old water is hard to get down, it’s helps to add lemon which is high in Vitamin C and assists in loosening up stuffiness and congestion. Hot tea is also soothing for a sore throat, stuffy nose and congestion and adding honey to it will help with coughs. Just be sure to reach for the decaf. Caffeine is dehydrating, making caffeinated teas, coffee and soda the last thing your body needs to recover. Also, as we’ve discussed in previous posts, stay away from sugar loaded sports drinks. If you are looking to replenish electrolytes, re:iimmune’s hydrobiotic formula was created to address poor hydration, a weakened immune system and intestinal inflammation which affects immunity. re:iimmune provides isotonic, clinical strength hydration along with a prebiotic, probiotics, electrolytes, L-Glutamine, Zinc and Ginger and it’s sugar free!

Simple Soothers

When you are suffering from a cold, it’s all about finding ways to soothe the symptoms to make yourself more comfortable. We mentioned adding some honey into your tea above and you may even want to ingest a tablespoon or two all on it’s own if one of the symptoms you are struggling with is a nasty cough. Honey has been shown to be as or even more effective at controlling and soothing coughs than over the counter cough medicines.

When we’re sick, our nasal passages go into overdrive, swelling up and producing more mucus to try to drive the virus out. An easy and effective way to calm them down is using a saline spray which helps to loosen mucus and moisturize the nasal passages. If all that mucus is irritating your throat, a saltwater gargle can also provide relief.

Another irritating symptom? The sore nose that inevitably comes from blowing it so much. Using a little dab of coconut oil will moisturize your nose and help prevent it from getting raw and sore.

Electrolytes, substances that produce an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in water, are vital for the normal functioning of the human body. They regulate our blood pH, blood pressure, nerve and muscle function, hydration and rebuild damaged tissue. Electrolytes are literally electric in that they have an electric charge. When dissolved in water they separate into positive and negative charged ions. Because the nerves of our bodies signal to one another through a process of chemical exchanges dependent on these oppositely charged ions found both outside and inside your cells, appropriate electrolyte levels are crucial.

If electrolyte levels are off, it can lead to weak muscles or muscles that contract too severely. Kept constant by our kidneys and several hormones, our electrolyte levels tend to change when our level of hydration goes up or down. As we sweat and urinate we lose electrolytes, mainly sodium and potassium, so they must be replaced by the foods we eat such as fresh fruits and vegetables. If we don’t consume the necessary levels, there can be serious health consequences.

When electrolytes are out of whack due to altered levels of magnesium, sodium , potassium, phosphorus, chloride or calcium you may experience the following symptoms. . .

Irregular heartbeat

Weakness

Numbness

Twitching

Fatigue

Confusion

Convulsions

Blood pressure changes

Seizures

Several conditions and health problems can bring on an imbalance of electrolytes, such as kidney disease, prolonged periods of vomiting, severe dehydration, heatwaves, congestive heart failure and cancer treatment. Also some drugs like ACE inhibitors and diuretics can mess with your levels. One study revealed that 20% of patients who were prescribed diuretics for high blood pressure or a heart condition had reduced potassium and sodium levels.

re:iimmune® is a water-based solution for drinking which provides Clinical Strength Hydration® with a rich package of health-supporting ingredients. We’ve included electrolytes like chloride, sodium and potassium to help keep your body in balance. This unique combination has been specifically formulated to help you get better, better!

It is important to understand the signs of dehydration. The adult human body is 50-65% water and in a day we need to replenish that supply or dehydration can set in, causing a host of problems. However our bodies are smart! They provide us with a number of really uncomfortable signals or alarms that tell us when something is wrong. If you are experiencing any of these signs of dehydration, it’s time to listen to your body and pour yourself a glass of water. Add a packet of re:iimmune to aid in your recovery. It delivers Clinical Strength Hydration in an electrolyte balancing formula!

Dry Mouth – The most obvious sign that something is amiss. This is the body’s first cry and first sign of dehydration. That’s right. You aren’t “just thirsty”, if your mouth is dry you are already dehydrated!

Fatigue – Often when we think we just didn’t get enough sleep last night, our body is really trying to tell us that it needs more water. If you aren’t well hydrated, your energy level drops and you begin to feel fatigued.

Headache – Even slight dehydration can bring on a headache pretty quickly but after 24 hours without water, there’s evidence that severe dehydration can shrink the brain. Think of how a plant reacts when it’s not getting enough water. The leaves of the plant begin to contract or shrink and it’s the same with the cells of our brain when the body is not getting an adequate amount of water.

Dry Skin/Skin That’s Lost Elasticity – A quick an easy way to decipher this sign of dehydration is to try the “Pinch Test” a.k.a the “Skin Turgor Test” where you lightly pinch some skin on the back of your hand and pull it up about 1cm before letting it go. If you are well hydrated, the skin will spring back into it’s natural position almost immediately. If it takes a few moments to fall back into place, you may be dehydrated.

Why Wednesday

My gut has never been in optimal shape. Due to being born via C-section and pumped full of loads of antibiotics during my first few weeks of life, I got off to a rough start.

7 months ago, my Dad was in a major car accident, after months of hospitals and rehab, we found out he had stage 4 cancer. I began to struggle even more with stomach issues through this process. re:iimmune has been a huge help in keeping my tummy in shape and a necessity to my overall health. I won’t travel without it and hate to run out!

I re:iimmune after a restless night, I re:iimmune the second I begin to feel any illness coming on, I re:iimmune when I need a boost of energy, I re:iimmune when I’m working hard and feeling drained and dehydrated. I feel like this product is extremely beneficial to my gut and I also LOVE the way it tastes! Cheers! -Nicole

Truth be told, our gut health affects nearly every function in our body, but the functionality of our gut health is also easily disrupted by internal forces. When stress is introduced, whether it be positive or negative, our immune system and intestinal balance are affected in significant ways. Stress affects your digestive health (sometimes going as far as to produce stomach ulcers). Stress is known to raise blood pressure- which in turn lowers your immune system and causes circulatory complications, as well as impaired brain function and sleep patterns. The list goes on!

We commonly think to beef up our immune system when our sleep schedule is thrown off, flu season kicks in, or someone uses the same hand they just coughed into to shake your own- but do you think to take extra precautions for your healths sake when faced with an emotionally taxing crisis? Studies show that simple laughter strengthens your immune system, so imagine the strain your physical body feels after hours, days or months of chronic stress or trauma. Next time you’re faced with a “nervous stomach”, reach for a packet of re:iimmune® and get better, better™!

The sun is shining longer and the temperature gauges are steadily rising, it’s officially summer and it looks like it’s going to be a scorcher. These are the days of pool parties, barbeques with friends and boating until sunset. Summer time is known for it’s beautiful sunsets, ice cream cones and sweet memories made under palm trees, but summer and all of it’s fun, comes with it’s own dangers. As afternoon temperatures rise, so do your chances of heat related illnesses that can quickly take a serious turn.

This summer, protect your children, yourself and your loved ones with knowledge and preparation. Avoid the dangers of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke while enjoying your fun in the sun over summer break. Watch for the tell tale signs and be prepared to take action when you recognize a heat related illness creeping up.

Early signs of heat exhaustion may include:

♦ Thirst

♦ Heavy Sweating

♦ Fatigue

♦ Muscle Cramps and Pain Central to the Legs and Abdomen

Advanced symptoms of heat exhaustion:

♦ Dizziness/ Light Headedness

♦ Headache

♦ Nausea and Vomiting

♦ Cool, Clammy Skin

♦ Dark Urine

♦ Weakness

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

♦ Extreme Confusion

♦ Rapid, Shallow Breathing

♦ Seizures

♦ Irrational Behavior

♦ Rapid, Weak Pulse

♦ Fever

Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat related illness and requires immediate medical attention.(Call 911).

Dehydration plays a huge part in leading to a heat related illness. Sweat is our body’s way of cooling itself down and when your hydration levels fall, your body no longer has the ability to cool itself down by producing sweat causing your temperature to rise to a dangerous level and leaving you in danger of heat stroke. Some other factors that play a part in your risk for heat stroke are pre existing conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease, obesity or being underweight, and diabetes. Age also plays a part in your risk for heat related illness, infants and children under 4, as well as adults over 65 may be even more susceptible.

Prepare yourself this summer when you know you’re going to be exposed to high temperatures for extended amounts of time. The Clinical Strength Hydration formula in re:iimmune® is perfect for on the go summer fun since each serving is individually packaged in sachets that can be mixed with a bottle of ice cold water anywhere, and at any time. The L-Glutamine in re:iimmune® works as a co-transporter by pulling hydration directly into your cells and providing rapid rehydration. Make sure to pack extra re:iimmune® into your picnic basket or lake bag before you head out this weekend, and feel better, better™!

Why Wednesday

“Fortunately, we haven’t had chemo, radiation, or an especially severe case of bad “gut health.” However, it is possible that we represent a large percentage of those who use re:iimmune on a daily, weekly or bi-weekly basis for our general health and comfort. I first became aware of the product about two years ago when my husband had a rather long and unexplained problem with his tummy. He drank one dose a day for about a week and just that quickly he felt so much better. We have experienced the usual upsets typical of 90 and 80 year olds, but since discovering re:iimmune the difference is that we know what to do about it now.” -Paula Ahlborn

Here at Make People Better headquarters, we often hear the question: “do I have to be sick to drink re:iimmune®?” Of course not! The truth is, I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t benefit from Clinical Strength Hydration® and Intestinal Immune support. Drinking re:iimmune® on a regular basis is a wonderful way to build up your immune system, and feel better, better™ . The Zinc and 275mg of ginger root in re:iimmune® give your body an extra immune boost, and also aid in reducing upset digestive patterns, and soothing nausea. Ginger alone packs a powerful punch in conjunction with generalized health, you can read more about that here.

We regularly hear from our faithful customers and friends that drinking re:iimmune® every single day has made a definite improvement on their quality of life, and for numerous reasons. Moment of truth: I personally live, eat, and breathe this stuff, but even I don’t remember to drink it every single day, yet, as soon as I start to feel sluggish or physically off, I crave it immediately! Moral of the story is that your health journey is yours, and it will be unique for each individual. As a health conscious person, you’re surely going to attempt to drink enough water in a day, eat foods that promote a healthy digestive pattern, and possibly even supplement with a probiotic formula on occasion. The beauty of re:iimmune® is that it’s truly the whole package in one tiny packet. For the days when you haven’t had time to sit down (much less drink an adequate amount of water), for the days that you cave and wind up eating that one thing you know your body will not thank you for later, for the days that you just want to lay your head down on your desk and call it quits, re:iimmune® just might be the pick up you need! As for Paula and I, we sure think so. Until next Wednesday, Get better, better™!

If you’re anything like me, you become a little leery when you’re prescribed a new medication. What are the side effects, and the long term consequences of this medication? Are these consequences worth the foreseeable benefits? Is it even the right medication for your unique condition? Is it worth the financial cost, or is it covered by your insurance? These are all common questions, especially for those of us who aren’t use to taking prescription medications on a regular basis.

There is a lot that goes into making sure you get the most out of your prescribed medication. First, and most obviously, getting your prescription actually filled is step one, taking your medication on time, and then making sure you have a good understanding of the directions you’ve been given. It’s important to ask your healthcare provider the correct questions and honestly voice your reasons for hesitation. Often times when we choose to take our medication choices into our own hands without consulting our doctor, we wind up adding greater complications to our illness and in turn, create for ourselves a lower quality of life.

As intimidating as a new medication can appear, it’s vital that you communicate with your health care provider, and do everything you can to reach a mutual agreement on a plan that works both for your lifestyle and your condition, which supports medication adherence. The statistics speak for themselves, medication non-adherence has been found to lead to nearly 20% of preventable adverse drug events in the community setting, and 25% of premature nursing home admissions. Not only that, but it can easily lead to the progression of diseases that would otherwise be preventable, extra doctors visits, and the possibility of premature death.

If you don’t know where to start, or how to keep yourself on track with your medication, here are a few tips from us to you:

Organize– Pick up a pill organizer from your local pharmacy to eliminate any missed or doubled doses.

Ask– Make sure you are taking the best medication for you by doing research on your own, and then taking any questions you have to your trusted physician.

Record– If you feel like you are experiencing adverse reactions or side effects to your new medication, write them down as they come up so that you can accurately consult your doctor.

Remind– Set a reminder on your phone or clock to take your medication at the designated time each day.

Accountability– Talk about your medication use with the people closest to you. Let your significant other, your care giver, or your house mates know about your medication and ask someone you trust to check in with you regularly.

re:iimmune®– Ultimately, most medications do in fact take some type of toll on your body’s hydration and intestinal health. Make sure you pair a daily dose of re:iimmune® with your new medication to help ease any possible side effects. Between the ginger for nausea reduction, zinc for immune boosting strength, pre and probiotic blend for intestinal health, and the Clinical Strength hydration formula, you’re sure to feel better, better!